Wild Oats

Wild Oats

(Avena fatua L.)

Poaceae (Grass Family)

▲ mature plants

▲ ▼ inflorescences

▲ ligule and collar region

Wild Oats: (not in Weeds of the Great Plains; pp. 36-37, Weeds of the Northeast)

• Stout, cool-season annual grass with blue-green leaves and inflorescences
• Grows 1-3’ tall, leaves have strong texture and often rough to touch
• Inflorescence is an upright panicle with drooping spikelets with long awns
• Common in winter annual crops and more common in areas north and west of here; likes moist, heavy soils

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